WBA vs. Manchester City

Baggies Braced For Battering

There's no neutrality in terms of this fixture, City have been ruthless against the bottom feeders this season and with the accolade of top spot for 2012 as an added incentive, WBA will need to brave the inevitable onslaught with which City have become synonymous with.

These defining few months have seen the Citizens maintain their title challenge with only the Chelsea defeat blotting an otherwise perfect season. Despite this, Roberto Mancini's side still have United breathing down their necks (an unwelcome experience many an ageing prostitute has endured with a certain Mr Rooney).

City have a decent record against West Brom, notching up three wins in their last three meetings with the midlands side. That said, no game is easy - especially over the congestive festive period. Roy Hodgeson`s side recorded a well earned victory against Newcastle United in their last fixture, a result that will provide a huge boost in an otherwise poor season.

Adversely, City couldn`t possibly gain anymore confidence. A 3-0 win against Stoke has become the status quo and only complacency now stands in the way of a victory at the Hawthorns.

Vital Quotes:

WBA Team News:

Steven Reid, Youssouf Mulumbu and Jerome Thomas all picked up knocks and may be rested over this busy period.

Fortunately for WBA, James Morrison looks ready to return to action and will prove a welcome addition to an otherwise underwhelming line-up.

Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie

Peter Odemwingie has had a dreadful start to this season, injury and a range of other factors contributing. Roy Hodgeson has publicly criticised his star striker, but their is no denying his talent provides a massive threat for the home side.

Scoring against Newcastle last week could kickstart his season and he will need to be kept an eye on if Joe Hart hopes to maintain another clean sheet.

Manchester City Team News:

Micah Richards and Edin Dzeko are likely to be rested for another game as they struggle to overcome their respective injuries.

If so, they will be joining Aleksandar Kolarov on the sidelines as City's only long term absentee watches on from the stands.

Player to watch: Yaya Toure

The Ivorian's power and pace is truely a force to be reckoned with. Brushing aside even the most solid of defenders with unnerving ease, Toure has become almost symbolic of City's power.

Against the likes of WBA, Toure can cause all sorts of problems, his link up play through the middle providing the cutting edge than can carve aside teams in the blink of an eye.

Match Facts & Stats

The Baggies have lost five of their last eight Premier League games at the home.

West Brom have lost all of their Premier League games on Boxing Day to date.

Ref Watch:

Lee Mason takes charge on this Boxing Day mismatch.

Match Prediction:

City fans have been accused of arrogance recently - but don't mistake arrogance for belief. Vincent Kompany recently stated he has a 'gut feeling' that this is our year. Many City fans would agree - including myself. Football being the unpredicable beast that it is, anything could happen today. Manchester City being the predictable beast that they are, all things point to a resounding victory. WBA 1-4 Manchester City

Next Fixtures:

Premier League: Away to Sunderland on Sunday 1st January 2012 @ 3pm.

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Your Comments (oldest first)

Hodgson definitely had his team well-drilled today, so hats off to the Baggies for some excellent backs-to-the-wall defending. Pity City were so wasteful in front of goal, at times we looked a bit like the Arsenal of the past couple of seasons - ie trying to walk the ball into the back of the net when shooting would have been the better option. Need to do better up front against Sunderland!

As far as I could tell from watching the game the Baggies did indeed brace themselves for a battering, the trouble from a City point of view was they braced themselves very well and held strong to not let us through.

A little suprised to be honest that a 5 point advantage has now become 0 ( like Liverpool Feb 2009) Anyway joint top going into the last game of 2011 not a bad festive period happy days :)
Read more: http://www.manchesterunited.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=266678#ixzz1hfvGbjG5

Not joint top mate - you're still second - and your run of easy games against relegation fodder is about to come to an end. Don't forget, we've played 5 of the current top 6 away from home, you've played all the top 6 AT home. I'm sure you'll drop a few points in those games. And the most important thing to remember is that you've got to play us at the Etihad in April. So wouldn't get your hopes up, we're just ******** with your heads...

What gives us heart is that we're top having already played Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, and United away, so only Arsenal of the "Big 6" remain. United have to go to City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs away and dropped points are likely in at least three of those games.

Sowing the seed of doubt nickster eh? I'll be perfectly honest, I never expected that this year would be our year but given how the season has panned out so far I am starting to believe. Fair enough we had a hiccup today but I believe this City team on their day is capable of beating anybody, may the best team win.

I got berated on this site last week for suggesting that the contributors on VMC were cocky and arrogant.... I was called a muppet and the mob mentality ensued... Then four days later the heading of the article is "Baggies braced for Battering" Referring to West Brom as "Bottom Feeders" (even though they sit 9th on the table) and then predicting a 4-1 win away from home. I am not having a go here VMC but do you see where I was coming from last week? Am I right in saying that Man City Fans are/were getting a little bit over excited? You are now level on points with a very average Manchester United side - maybe this might put it into perspective. Away to a much improved Sunderland, home to Liverpool and a FA Cup match against Manure - 2 draws and a loss in the last 6 games, this is not a time for Man City to be hitting a loss in form. But hey - this is why your chairman and manager(s) have spent half a billion on...for times like these...

Firstly Batigol, you tarred all City fans with one brush based on one person's article, then when I challenged your opinion I was told to get a grip, not very nice that is it? Secondly, like I said above the Baggies did brace themselves for a battering and did it very well, do I don't believe there's anything arrogant or cocky about that headline, the term "bottom feeders" is not one I'd use myself but if we're going to be blunt about it that is what they have been in the PL, have they not? Thirdly, loss of form? Did you watch yesterday's game? We are still playing with the same style and panache we have done since the start of the season but credit West Brom they played an excellent defensive game, as well as a couple of things not going our way, we may have been profligate but describing it as a loss of form is going over the top. Lastly, U*d are not an average team, they may have a number of average players but, and it pains me to say this, with the few world class players they have and the work ethic of the rest, they make for a formidable opponent to anyone, they are PL champions ffs.

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